Kim de Laforest

Biography

Kim de Laforest is a fiddle, violin, viola and vocal performer and teacher based in Saskatoon.

In her classical world, Kim spent 10 years with the Regina Symphony Orchestra before moving to Saskatoon in 2000. As a member of the Saskatoon Symphony, Kim has served as the assistant concertmaster, principal second violin, principal viola, and section violin and viola player. She has been soloist, concertmaster, and section player of the University of Regina’s Chamber Orchestra, Musica Viva, and the South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra. Kim has also been very involved in chamber music groups across the province. Some highlights include Prairie Virtuosi, Saskatoon Composers’ Society Concerts, Musici Amati, and the house band for CBC Christmas concerts.

Kim plays with local Irish band Jim ‘n Kim as well as doing a lot of solo fiddle work. Kim released her first solo CD Kindred Spirits in 2004 and was featured on CBC’s DiscDrive during its Saskatchewan tour. During Juno Fest 2007 in Saskatoon, Kim’s performance was recorded for CBC’s Canada Live.

Kim’s second solo CD ‘Transitions’ was released in November 2011.

As a part of the trio Prairie Sea (fiddle, guitar, dulcimer and vocal ensemble based in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan), Kim released a CD in the spring of 2013. Their second CD ‘Distance’ was released in June of 2016. Both were nominated for Traditional/Roots Recording of the Year by Music Nova Scotia.

As well as being a busy performer, Kim is also a sought-after instructor and adjudicator. She currently teaches a large studio of students in Saskatoon. Kim joins an international roster of instructors to teach at fiddle camps in Prince Albert, LaRonge, Moose Jaw, Tisdale, Bowsman MB, at the Clear Lake Fiddle Camp ( Clear Lake, MB ), the Tuffnell Fiddle Camp, the Frontier Fiddlers Camp ( in Manitoba ) and at the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party. Kim has also worked with students at orchestral workshops in Regina and Saskatoon.

Kim is thrilled to be a part of fiddle workshops (2014-present) in Nunavut run by the Tusarnaarniq Sivamut Association (Music for the Future).

For two seasons, Kim was the Assistant Director of Saskatoon’s Mysterium Healing Sound Choir.

Kim is excited to be coaching the Saskatoon Fiddle Orchestra for a ninth season.